Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Close to 40 million Americans are expected to pack up their car and head out for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
This accounts for about 90 percent of the people who will be traveling at least 50 miles from their home over the long weekend. In the state of Florida, officials are predicting more than 2 million travelers will make the journey — and that doesn’t count the people who will be pouring into the state for their holiday vacation, according to 13NEWS.
“So we’re going to have a lot of people driving into Florida not knowing where they are going, so patience, courtesy and giving yourself extra time is going to be very important,” said Jessica Brady, an AAA spokeswoman.
Our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers urge drivers to be safe out there as traffic is expected to be at its busiest. Close to half of all holiday travelers are expected to head out to kickoff their holiday weekend on Wednesday. Drivers are warned. Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) will be out there looking for dangerous drivers.
Be safe, be alert and be cautious to not only avoid a costly citation, but to also avoid a potentially fatal car accident.
Thanksgiving Travel Tips from the FHP:
-Be especially cautious on Wednesday and on Sunday as that’s when driving will be heading out on their vacation adventure and heading home.
-Remember to check the traffic reports before heading out. There are cameras throughout the state, installed by the Department of Transportation, that help to monitor the flow. When the DOT opened up its traffic management office, there was only one camera. Now there are several hundred scattered throughout the state.
-Make sure your car is ready for the trip. Make sure that all of the fluids under the hood are fresh and full. Check your tire pressure before heading out, too! Keep windows and mirrors clean to increase visibility.
-Avoid drinking and driving. If alcohol is involved in your holiday plans, make sure you have a designated driver. A designated driver has nothing to drink. It’s not the person who has had the least to drink.
-Know where you’re going and how to get there before your departure. Have your GPS set and ready to go before throwing it into drive.
-Avoid engaging in distractions while in the driver’s seat. Keep your attention on the task at hand — driving.
-Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up during each ride.
“The last thing law enforcement wants to do is knock on someone’s door and tell them a loved one has been killed,” FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.
Last year, there were about 30 people who were killed in Florida traffic accidents over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. There were 38 who were killed in 2010.
If you or someone in your family has been injured in a car accident, contact the injury lawyers of Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC for a free consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Florida Mother Targets Legislators in Distracted Driving Fight, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, November 15, 2012
Broward, Palm Beach Distracted Driving: More than Cell Phones, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, November 13, 2012